$40 Fine For Stealing, Crashing Plane

Judge surprised at small amount

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A $40 fine and nine months in jail -- a roof over your head if you're 51-year-old Calvin Cox.

Cox was convicted of second-degree burglary for stealing a single-engine Piper airplane at Frederick Municipal Airport at 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 28, the Frederick News-Post reported. His public defender told the court he was homeless and cold when he did it.

Cox crashed the plane's nose into the ground, causing $12,000 damage.

Frederick County Circuit Judge G. Edward Dwyer Jr. was surprised by prosecutors asking for such a small amount in restitution, but prosecutors explained that the insurance company for Mid Atlantic Soaring Associates Corporation, which owns the plane, already paid to repair it, minus a $40 deductible.

Cox has already served half of his jail time.

Published at 1:28 PM EDT on May 21, 2010 | Updated at 1:45 PM EDT on May 21, 2010